Foray: Beatrix goes Bonkers; Women, Mycology, History & the Future with Alison Pouliot

In this exciting female foray, Alison Pouliot introduces participants to the Kingdom Fungi, in the context of the history of women's knowledge of mushrooms. Women are thought to have been crucial keepers of fungal lore across cultures and throughout the centuries. They knew which mushrooms could cure and which could kill. It's been said that some philandering husbands may even have met their deaths with a deadly mushroom meal courtesy of their wives. Interest in fungi has hit an all-time high, but in 1155 Hildegard von Bingen was already writing about them in her herball, Liber Simplicis Medicinae, some in a code that has never been fully deciphered. Who were the pioneering female mycologists? How did First Nations women find underground truffle fungi in the desert? And can you name the Australian woman who has discovered at least 20 new species of fungi? In this interactive foray, Alison Pouliot will share stories of the trail-blazing women behind important mycological discoveries and those who are leading the way today and open it up to your stories as well. C'mon ladies, don your boots, grab your magnifying glass, and come and help us find mushrooms! Please bring fungi inspired morning tea to share.